Cass County code board sets clean-up deadlines for multiple properties, reduces one fine to $2,500

The Cass County Code Enforcement Board on a recent meeting set 30- and 60-day deadlines for several property owners to remove debris, secure structures or obtain demolition permits, and approved reducing a longstanding fine on one property to $2,500.

Board members moved through a series of old- and new-business items covering specific addresses across the county. Staff told the board that the owner of the property at 1564 West Fitch intends to demolish the structure and asked for 60 days to pull a demolition permit; the board granted the 60-day request. The board issued a similar 60-day deadline to the owner of 1556 West, and accepted staff recommendations to allow 60 days for cleanup on several other addresses, including 3775 West 500 North (Spencer) and 1451 West 350 South (Chambers), with reinspections scheduled as staff noted. Several motions to grant the timelines or to clear cases were approved by voice vote.

At 202110 Clifton Avenue, staff reported that Mister Woodke had significantly cleaned the property but still had items visible from the road; owner Larry Witke spoke at the mic to confirm some work had been completed. "My name is Larry Witke," he said while confirming changes on the property. The board accepted staff’s recommendation to clear that case after discussion.

One of the more contested items came during the public-comment period when resident Melissa Lopez asked about a $5,000 fine on her Mulberry Street property that she believed had been removed after prior cleanup. "We thought when we came in September that it was taken away," Lopez said, explaining the family had worked to address the violations and thought the matter was closed. Staff explained that fines are not automatically removed when a site is cleared and that the board must vote to reduce or remove them. Staff also said the county had adopted a new ordinance requiring vehicles on properties to be registered and plated, which may require additional fixes for some owners.

After debate about the recurring nature of violations and the purpose of fines as a deterrent, a motion to reduce the fine on the Mulberry Street property to $2,500 was put before the board and approved by voice vote. Board members directed staff to record the reduction and to consult with the clerk’s office about how any previously paid amounts would be handled.

Board members and staff noted that in cases where property owners are deceased or where violators repeatedly place material back on a parcel, a county-supervised cleanup or obtaining estimates to abate conditions may be the practical option. Staff also emphasized state rules limiting extensions in some circumstances to 60 days.

The meeting concluded after the board finished its agenda and adopted multiple motions on timelines and case closures. Several cases were left on the enforcement list for follow-up inspections in January.